Cousins in our Neighborhood

We live in a St. Louis suburb where people don't go to school with cousins. My daughter Rachel on the left (pink) was in class with her 3rd cousin once removed Heather (with glasses). Even the teacher couldn't believe that we KNEW that they were 3rd cousins once removed. Heather's grandmother (Fay Long Buxton) was the first cousin of Rachel's great-grandfather (Roy Long). Family historians just know these things.

Catana, Leah, Glenice

So, I was at a baby shower with Leah's friend since Kindergarten, Catana. I knew her mother was from DeSoto where my Dad's family is from and I'd asked her about her family from time to time, but couldn't find a connection. . .in 25 years. . .

Glenice, Lois, Jean

So, in 5 minutes after meeting Glenice's sister, Jean (a family historian), I found the connection. Glenice, Jean and I have the same great-great-great grandparents Jacob Tyrey and Celicia Kilpatrick. Lois was my father's 3rd cousin; Glenice and Jean are my 4th cousins; Leah and Catana are 5th cousins.
My grandfather Roy Long was 2nd cousin with Lawson Valle (Glenice and Jean's grandfather); my great-grandmother Mary Reiter Long was first cousins with Julius Valle; my great-great grandmother (below) Eliza Tyrey Reiter was the sister of their ancestor Caroline Tyrey Valle.


So these two munchkins (below), who have been all through school together (Kindergarten through college) are 5th cousins. If the teachers at Henry School couldn't believe I knew that Heather and Rachel were 3rd cousins once removed, what would they have thought about 5th cousins?